A former Toronto Blue Jay has found a new home.

Jon Heyman of the NY Post reported on Thursday evening that Rowdy Tellez signed a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners, with an invite to Spring Training.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="550" data-dnt="true">
Rowdy Tellez to the Mariners. Minors deal. MLB camp invite.
&mdash; Jon Heyman (@JonHeyman) <a href="https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1892797058597232873?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">February 21, 2025</a></blockquote>
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Tellez was drafted by the Blue Jays all the way back in the 30th round of the 2013 draft but debuted five seasons later in 2018. The first baseman got off to a hot start, slashing .314/.329/.614 with four home runs and nine doubles in 73 plate appearances. Becoming a full-time player in 2019, Tellez struggled as he slashed just .227/.293/.449 with 21 home runs in 409 plate appearances for a 91 wRC+ and a -0.4 fWAR.
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The first baseman was one of the best Blue Jays hitters during the pandemic season in 2020, slashing .283/.346/.540 with eight home runs in 127 plate appearances for a 132 wRC+, helping the team reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. However, he struggled to begin the 2021 season, slashing just .209/.272/.338 with four home runs in 151 plate appearances for a 62 wRC+.
With the emergence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the everyday first baseman, Tellez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for then-prospect Bowden Francis and Trevor Richards. After arriving in Wisconsin, Tellez hit seven home runs in 174 plate appearances.
His 2022 season was the best of his career, as he hit 35 home runs in 599 plate appearances while his K% dropped to 20.2% and had a 10.4 BB%, which remains the highest of his career. Sure, he only had a .219 batting average, but he finished with a 110 wRC+ and a 1.1 fWAR.
Unfortunately, Tellez couldn’t find the same success in 2023, slashing .215/.291/.376 with 13 home runs in 351 plate appearances for a 78 wRC+. Before the 2024 season, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where the first baseman slashed .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs in 421 plate appearances, being designated for assignment four plate appearances before he was set to reach a bonus.
It’ll be difficult for Tellez to make the roster, as the Mariners’ projected first baseman Luke Raley. Not only is Raley a better first baseman (2.3 fWAR and 129 wRC+ in 2023), but he also bats left-handed. Hopefully, he finds a way to play some MLB games in 2025.
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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.
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A former Toronto Blue Jay has found a new home.



Jon Heyman of the NY Post reported on Thursday evening that Rowdy Tellez signed a minor-league deal with the Seattle Mariners, with an invite to Spring Training.

https://twitter.com/JonHeyman/status/1892797058597232873

Tellez was drafted by the Blue Jays all the way back in the 30th round of the 2013 draft but debuted five seasons later in 2018. The first baseman got off to a hot start, slashing .314/.329/.614 with four home runs and nine doubles in 73 plate appearances. Becoming a full-time player in 2019, Tellez struggled as he slashed just .227/.293/.449 with 21 home runs in 409 plate appearances for a 91 wRC+ and a -0.4 fWAR.
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&nbsp;

The first baseman was one of the best Blue Jays hitters during the pandemic season in 2020, slashing .283/.346/.540 with eight home runs in 127 plate appearances for a 132 wRC+, helping the team reach the postseason for the first time since 2016. However, he struggled to begin the 2021 season, slashing just .209/.272/.338 with four home runs in 151 plate appearances for a 62 wRC+.

With the emergence of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. as the everyday first baseman, Tellez was traded to the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for then-prospect Bowden Francis and Trevor Richards. After arriving in Wisconsin, Tellez hit seven home runs in 174 plate appearances.

His 2022 season was the best of his career, as he hit 35 home runs in 599 plate appearances while his K% dropped to 20.2% and had a 10.4 BB%, which remains the highest of his career. Sure, he only had a .219 batting average, but he finished with a 110 wRC+ and a 1.1 fWAR.

Unfortunately, Tellez couldn’t find the same success in 2023, slashing .215/.291/.376 with 13 home runs in 351 plate appearances for a 78 wRC+. Before the 2024 season, he signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates, where the first baseman slashed .243/.299/.392 with 13 home runs in 421 plate appearances, being designated for assignment four plate appearances before he was set to reach a bonus.

It’ll be difficult for Tellez to make the roster, as the Mariners’ projected first baseman Luke Raley. Not only is Raley a better first baseman (2.3 fWAR and 129 wRC+ in 2023), but he also bats left-handed. Hopefully, he finds a way to play some MLB games in 2025.

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As always, you can follow me on Bluesky @ryleydelaney.bsky.social.

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Former Blue Jay Rowdy Tellez signs minor-league deal with Mariners

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